Marc Santos, who debuted last Sunday with Levante UD's first team at just 15 years and 280 days old, has recalled how he experienced such a special moment in his career, from the moments leading up to his debut to the emotion of sharing it with his parents, family, teammates, and friends. The youth academy player has also reflected on the journey that brought him to the first team and highlighted the importance of the club in his development as a footballer and as a person.

The player is still processing everything he experienced at the RCDE Stadium. At just 15 years and 280 days old, he fulfilled the dream he had pursued since childhood and became the youngest player to debut with the Granota first team and the third youngest in LaLiga history. A debut that, beyond the records, represents the reward for many years of hard work and the effort of his family. “I am very happy, very pleased, to have fulfilled my childhood dream, and now it's time to keep working because, with humility and perseverance, anything is possible,” he explains.

The debut was also the result of a long journey through the youth ranks. Santos is very mindful of those who have accompanied him along the way, especially his parents and his grandfather, who encouraged him to play football from a young age. Marc acknowledges that when it was his turn to step onto the field, he thought about “all the work done since I was little. About my parents, for all the effort they’ve made, and also I remembered my grandfather, may he rest in peace, who instilled in me the values of football. He wanted me to play and signed me up for football when I was little. I thought about those close to me who have done everything to help me achieve this dream.”

Before stepping onto the pitch, Luís Castro's message was clear. “The coach told me to play as I know, to enjoy the moment, and to give it my all,” he says. But one of the most special moments came afterward, when he reunited with his parents. “When I saw my parents, we hugged tightly, I got emotional, and we spent some time crying and talking about everything it took to get here and the great dream I’ve fulfilled. It’s a pleasure to share this with my parents because they are the two people I look up to in my life,” he says.

The debut jersey is a very treasured item that the player plans to keep safe. “People ask for a lot of jerseys, but that one is a unique and unforgettable memory for me, and it stays at home,” he says with a smile.

The young player has played in different positions throughout his development in the Granota Academy, which has allowed him to grow as a player. “I’ve played as a full-back, midfielder, and winger, the latter being the position I debuted in, and that has helped me a lot to improve as a footballer throughout my career and to be more versatile, which coaches like a lot,” he comments.

For Marc, Levante UD is not just another club; it is “unique.” “It’s my life, the club that has given me everything and helped me grow as a person and as a footballer. It has helped me get to the national team and achieve that debut I made last Sunday, and I am super grateful,” he admits.

For a youth academy player stepping into the first-team locker room for the first time, it is essential to feel welcomed, something he acknowledges has been the case from day one: “I feel super comfortable; they’ve treated me great. Last year, I already joined the first team several times, and the group is incredible. They are wonderful people who help me both in football and personally, they instill many values in me, and I am super grateful.”

The focus on the youth academy also serves as extra motivation for all the young players aspiring to reach the first team. Santos believes that the coach’s trust shows that there is a path for players developed in the youth ranks. “It’s a huge motivation because not all coaches trust youth academy players, especially when they are so young. The youth players know that the coach already counts on those coming up, that we have to keep working hard, with humility, and that things come with perseverance and a lot of effort,” he says.

Below, you can see Marc Santos' full statements.